Citra® Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Citra® was bred in 1990 from a cross of two unnamed hop plants and a third varietal by the Hop Breeding Company. Complex lineage of Hallertau, Tettnanger (US), Brewers Gold, and East Kent Golding. Originally known as X-114. Expanded acreage began in 2007.

Citra® is one of the most sought after hops in the craft brewing industry. It is a wonderful hop for late hop additions: dry, whirlpool, etc.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Citra, the best alternatives are Galaxy™, Mosaic®, or Simcoe®.

At A Glance

Profile Intense citrus. Grapefruit, lime, gooseberry, passion fruit, and lychee.
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 11.0 - 13.5%
Substitutes Galaxy™, Mosaic®, Simcoe®
Pairs with Cascade, Chinook, Galaxy™, Mosaic®, Simcoe®
Beer Styles India Pale Ale, Pale Ale

General Information

Country United States
Alias Citra® Brand HBC 394 cv
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid contents after 6 months of storage at 68°F.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 11.0 - 13.5%
Beta Acid 3.5 - 4.5%
Cohumulone 1.5 - 2.8 ml/100g
Total Oil 22.0 - 24.0%
Myrcene 60.0 - 70.0%
Humulene 7.0 - 12.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 8.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.6 - 0.9%
B-Pinene 0.7 - 1.0%
Geraniol 0.3 - 0.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1400 - 1600 lbs/acre
Maturity Middle
Resistant Downy mildew, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt
Susceptible Aphid
Growth Rate Medium to high
Cones Medium size with tight density
Ease of Harvest Easy to moderate

Citra Aroma/Flavor Profile

Last Updated
  • 2026-01-14 15:08:27
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight

  • #Stone-Fruit (Orchard Vibe)

    Saturday is for smooth sipping. From fuzzy peach to ripe apricot, these hops add a soft, rounded sweetness to the aroma of Pale Ales and Sours. Explore #Stone-Fruit Hops!
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Did you know?
  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.